Aussies, Pakistan in title tilt

By virtue of this win, Pakistan finished their league engagements with 12 points from six matches to occupy the second position behind Australia. Pakistan’s passage to the final was made easy after South Korea dashed Great Britain’s final hopes with a 3-1 victory in another round-robin league earlier in the day.

Australia maintained their unbeaten record in the league outings when they defeated New Zealand 4-2 in the last fixture. World champions finished with 16 points from six round-robin encounters to face Pakistan in Sunday’s title round. The only game they did not win was the 1-1 drawn match against India.

India play South Korea for the fifth place. Australia took a 4-0 lead in the 28th minute, but New Zealand packed their defence to block any more goals. Goals at the other end by Steven Edwards (31st minute) and Marcus Child (68th) ensured the Black Sticks a bronze medal playoff against Britain.